A Ukrainian Orthodox Church cross procession marking the 1030th anniversary of the Baptism of Kyivan Rus has begun in downtown Kyiv.

After the prayer service on Volodymyrska Hirka (Volodymyr Hill), believers moved across Yevropeyska Ploscha (European Square) and along Hrushevskoho Street toward the Kyiv Pecherska Lavra, an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent reported.

Clergymen carrying religious banners and icons are leading the column.

Law enforcement officers are providing security.

In attendance are the co-chairs of the Opposition Bloc faction in the Verkhovna Rada, Yuriy Boiko and Oleksandr Vilkul, faction members Vadym Novynsky, Nestor Shufrych, Mykhailo Dobkin, Yuriy Pavlenko, and Volodymyr Lytvyn, an independent deputy.

The situation is calm in downtown Kyiv. Due to the high humidity and temperature, some participants sometimes have felt dizzy in the crowd, but ambulances are on site providing aid.